Pair questioned over skip death

Police and firefighters pulled Michael from the burning skip

Police are to seek more time to questions two youths over the death of a 15-year-old boy left in a burning skip.

The pair, aged 15 and 16, were arrested after Michael Temperley, of Gateshead, was found suffering severe burns in a skip at a retail park in the town at 2000 BST on Monday.

A spokesman for Northumbria Police said an appeal would be made to magistrates to extend the length of time the two can be held for questioning.

A team of counsellors were at Gateshead's Joseph Swan School, where Michael was a pupil, on Tuesday, to offer pupils support.

Michael's family, who live in the Low Fell area of Gateshead, have so far made no comment about the tragedy.

The scene of the murder in the centre of the sprawling Team Valley trading estate just off the busy A1, remains cordoned off with police tape.

Three BMX bicycles were abandoned close to the large red Biffa skip.

Michael died in Gateshead's Queen Elizabeth Hospital on Tuesday, surrounded by family members.

At a press conference at Whickham police station, Detective Superintendent Tony Thornton said: "It is difficult to understand how awful it must be for the family but anybody can see it is tragic.

The skip where Michael was found remains sealed off

"His family are absolutely devastated."

Mr Thornton said the inquiry remained at an early stage and the skip where Michael died was being subjected to a thorough forensic investigation.

The body of the 15-year-old is also undergoing a post-mortem examination to establish the precise cause of his death.

A stream of well-wishers sent flowers to his grieving family and neighbours spoke of their sadness at what had happened.

Jan Day, the head teacher at his school, said: "The whole school, staff and students, are shocked by the news of the tragic death of one of our students.

"We are working together to support our students and the whole school community in dealing with the great sense of loss that we are all feeling.

"Our thoughts and prayers are with Michael's parents, family, and friends at this terrible time."